Retractable snorkel

ABSTRACT

A retractable snorkel comprises a flexible tube comprising a folding member therearound, a bent breathing opening at one end of the tube, an air intake section at the other end, and a fastening member sleeved on the tube between the breathing opening and the air intake section. The tube may be extended from a minimum storage length to a maximum use length in order to suit user&#39;s different underwater swimming conditions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to snorkel and more particularly to a retractable snorkel with improved characteristics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A conventional snorkel is shown in FIG. 1 comprising a tube 1 having a bent breathing opening 11 at one end, an air intake section 12 at the other end, and a C-shaped fastening member 13 sleeved thereon between breathing opening 11 and air intake section 12. However, length of the conventional snorkel is not adjustable. This may inhibit the snorkel to be adapted to different underwater swimming conditions. Further, it is disadvantageous for storage. Thus improvement exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a retractable snorkel comprising a flexible tube comprising a folding member therearound; a bent breathing opening at one end of the tube; an air intake section at the other end; and a fastening member sleeved on the tube between the breathing opening and the air intake section.

[0004] In one aspect of the present invention, the fastening member is shaped like a C and has a hook at one end.

[0005] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional snorkel;

[0007]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of retractable snorkel according to the invention in a fully retracted position;

[0008]FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 where a C-shaped fastening member is removed from the snorkel;

[0009]FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 where the snorkel is in a fully extended position; and

[0010]FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 where a bent upper portion of the snorkel is shown in phantom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown a retractable snorkel constructed in accordance with the invention comprising a flexible tube 2 having a folding member 21 therearound. The tube 2 further comprises a bent breathing opening 25 at one end, an air intake section 24 at the other end, and a C-shaped fastening member 22 having an end hook 23 clung onto a pair of swimming goggles (not shown). The C-shaped fastening member 22 is sleeved on the tube 2 between breathing opening 25 and air intake section 24.

[0012] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 in conjunction with FIG. 1, the operation of the invention will now be described below. In use, user may adjust a length of the tube 2 (i.e., extend the tube 2 from a minimum storage length shown in FIG. 1 to a maximum use length as shown in FIG. 4) or bend the tube 2 (as shown in FIG. 5) in order to suit user's different underwater swimming conditions. A retraction of the tube 2 is also permitted for ease of storage.

[0013] While the invention has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A retractable snorkel comprising: a flexible tube comprising a folding member therearound; a bent breathing opening at one end of the tube; an air intake section at the other end; and a fastening member sleeved on the tube between the breathing opening and the air intake section.
 2. The retractable snorkel of claim 1, wherein the fastening member is shaped as a C and has a hook at one end. 